An influencer with 10,000 followers posts a product review. It gets 500 likes and 50 comments — that's roughly a 5.5% engagement rate, which is considered excellent. This metric matters far more than follower count because it shows whether an influencer's audience actually pays attention.
Brands looking for influencer partnerships should always check engagement rates first. An influencer with 100,000 followers but 0.5% engagement is less valuable than one with 10,000 followers and 5% engagement. High engagement means the audience trusts the influencer and acts on their recommendations. It depends on content quality, posting consistency, and genuine community interaction.